[blml] Are the laws clear on telling pard to ask a question? [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

Grattan Endicott asserted:

[snip]

>      Now, as to whether a question is an action, when we have a
>word in the laws that is not included in the Definitions we are to
>interpret it in accordance with its dictionary meaning. ["Action :
>a thing done, an act" - New Oxford English Dictionary.] Is a
>question such? Would you say "I am in the act of questioning
>him"? "My questioning is done"? Would that make a question
>an action ? I think so. But for the ruling the answer is not relevant.
>                                          ~ Grattan ~   +=+
>P.S. My apology if someone did point to the law and I missed it.

Law 16A:

"After a player makes available to his partner extraneous information
that may suggest a call or play .....  the partner may not choose
from among logical alternative actions ..... "

Richard Hills quibbles:

It seems to me that the dictionary definition of "action" must be
must be modified by the precondition for "may not".  That is, for an
"action" to include a question, the precondition should be "suggest a
call or play or question".

If indeed it is the intent of the WBF for a question to be a Law 16A
"action", then it is easy for the WBF Laws Drafting Committee to add
"or question" to the 2008 version of Law 16A.

However, I agree with Grattan that for the ruling the answer is not
relevant.  West has UI restrictions and the score may be adjusted if
West does not abide by the UI restrictions.


Best wishes

Richard James Hills, amicus curiae
National Training Branch, DIAC
02 6225 6285

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